Intro to Renewables Flashcards
Renewable vs Non-renewable
naturally replenishing (may be intermittent) vs depletable
Renewable Energy Resources (3 types)
Demand side (increase efficiency), Not depletable (wind, solar, ocean), Carefully managed (hydro, geothermal, biomass)
Clean-Tech (definition)
innovative technology for enviro friendly, not just alt energy gen
Green Energy (definition)
environmentally friendly sources of power (renewable, non-polluting)
Sustainable (definition)
energy use manner meets current needs w/o jeopardizing future needs
Global Energy/Electricity Needs met by Renewables
Energy (8%), Electricity (19%)
Global Reneweable use trend
2011: wind (20%) US#2, solar (74%) US#5
US Energy Needs met by Renewables
6% (non hydro)
US History of Renewables
PURPA, ITC, solar, Energy Policies Act (created PTC>ITC), states develop RPS and PBF
Key Drivers of Energy Choices (5)
demand growth, supply challenges, technology & policy, environmental constraints, security of supply
Renewables Benefits (6)
low/no fuel cost, low enviro impact, social = private cost, community benefits, modular/distributed, low/no C
Renewables Challenges (6)
high capital costs, some enviro impact, low levels of govt support, alt uses, deliverability, non-dispatchable
Policies that Advance Renewables (4)
technical standards, financial incentives/direct spending, utility programs, markets
Technical standards that advance renewables (2)
Renewable Portfolio Standards, Emissions/water regulations
Financial incentives that advance renewables(6)
Incentives (PTC, ITC), CREB, PACE, R&D, Govt Purchases, Tax Externalities
Utility programs that advance renewables (4)
Feed-in Tariffs, Net Metering, Rebates, Low-interest Loans
Markets that advance renewables (4)
RECs, Green Power, Cap and Trade, Corporate Policy
RPS
States increase use of renewables to protect against increased fossil fuel price. States level more effective than federal level. Other countries have high goals set for 2020
Countries that have high 2020 goals
Australia, Japan, Ireland, South Korea, India
PTC
Replaced ITC, created in 1992, gives a tax credit per/kWh for companies producing wind and biomass
FIT
Feed-in Tariff pays a guaranteed price for power (electricity or heat) generated from a renewable source
Net Metering
Credit for self-generation of electricity at the retail rate
How do RECs work?
Renewable Energy facilities generate RECs when they produce electricity. Businesses buy RECs to offset electricity generation to ensure renewable sources are used
PBF
Public Benefits Fund, funds efficiency and other public programs via electric utilities
